Dr. Sheila Segurson (DVM, DACVB): Building Better Shelter Behavior Programs with Maddie's Fund

03/14/24 • 53 min

Worry Less, Wag More: The Behavior Vets Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Sheila Segurson discusses how she builds shelter behavior programs drawing on her multifaceted experience as a shelter veterinarian, shelter veterinary behaviorist, dog trainer, foster caregiver, volunteer, consultant, and educator. We discuss:

Maddie's Fund and its mission
How trauma effects behavior
Essential components of a sound shelter behavior program
Understanding the unique personality and needs of a dog
Maddie's University Camp Maddie event

Dr. Sheila Segurson's bio:
Dr. Sheila Segurson is the Director of Community Solutions for Maddie’s Fund and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists with over 25 years of experience supporting animal welfare organizations in the United States.

Dr. Segurson’s interest in shelter behavior began in 1987 when she volunteered in the behavior department at the San Francisco SPCA. Over the years, Dr. Segurson developed a diverse skillset via experiences as a volunteer, student, dog trainer, foster caregiver, veterinarian, shelter veterinarian, shelter veterinary behaviorist, consultant, and educator. Dr. Segurson utilizes that background to help shelters maximize animal welfare, lifesaving and make appropriate outcome decisions for the pets in their care and people in their community.

Dr. Segurson regularly speaks at shelter and veterinary conferences, and has contributed to several online courses and textbooks. She was the first author of University of Florida’s Shelter Animal Behavior and Welfare course (online), contributed to IAABC’s Animal Behavior Consulting course, contributed to the Fear Free Shelter Course, and contributed chapters to Animals as Crime Victims, Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline and BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine, Second edition.

Dr. Segurson has expertise in dog and cat behavior and behavior programs, including program structure and development, admissions, enrichment, behavioral assessment, decision making, behavior modification, foster care, adoption and safety net programs.
Links:
MaddiesUniversity.org
MaddiesPetForum.org
Maddiesfund.org
Register for Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition
Register for Maddie's Monthly Behavior Meeting
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Dr. Monique Udell (PhD, CAAB) Maddie’s Insights: Becoming a Secure Base: Using science to improve human-animal bonds and welfare

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Maddie's Fund and its mission
How trauma effects behavior
Essential components of a sound shelter behavior program
Understanding the unique personality and needs of a dog
Maddie's University Camp Maddie event

Contact Behavior Vets

Previous Episode

Interactive and Therapeutic Play for Shelter Dogs with Dr. Elizabeth Congdon and Dr. Jessica Owens

In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Congdon and Dr. Jessica Owens describe how play therapy reduced salivary cortisol levels in shelter dogs and improved behavioral responses and emotional regulation. We discuss:

Study design with Calmr dog toys and goals
How play with improved relationships and wellness for shelter dogs
Special design of Camlr toy mimics prey
How cortisol affects behavior
Thoughts on developing programs for shelters involving play therapy

Dr. Elizabeth Congdon's bio and links:
Dr. Elizabeth Congdon is an Associate Professor of biology at Bethune-Cookman University with an extensive background in behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and science education. She is particularly interested in the relationship between social structure and dispersal in neotropical mammals, specifically capybaras. Locally, Dr. Congdon works with animal shetlers to use data-driven strategies to improve the quality of life and adoption rates for the dogs and cats - especially the large dogs and 'bully breeds'. The latest results from her team show that therapeutic play as an enrichment strategy can bring down cortisol with a lasting effect. She founded BEC Research, Inc to help fund these efforts and support student research projects.

APDT 2023 session description:
Using interactive and therapeutic play leads to improved health and wellness in shelter dogsBEC Research, Inc www.becresearch.org
Calmr Dog Toys www.calmrdog.comDr. Jessica Owens' bio and links:
Dr. Jessica Owens is an Experimental Psychologist studying animal behavior and communication. Their day job is serving as the lead behaviorist and CEO of Unleashed Training. They specialize in working with dogs and their guardians to overcome behavior and emotional challenges resulting from trauma – including abuse, neglect, lack of socialization, etc.
www.unleashedtraining.org
[email protected]

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Next Episode

Amanda Gagnon (MS, CDBC, CPDT) on the History of Controlling Dogs

In this episode, anthrozoologist Amanda Gagnon examines the history of controlling dogs and the things we do in Western culture to keep dogs in their place and under control. We discuss:

What is anthrozoology?
Brief history of humans controlling dogs and why do we do it? (this gets a little dark)
Controlling dog behavior
Letting dogs be dogs
Advocating for more dog-friendly public spaces

Amanda's bio:
Amanda Gagnon is an anthrozoologist, dog behavior consultant, and dog trainer. Amanda is the founder and training director at Amanda Gagnon Dog Training, in New York City, where she mentors apprentices, conducts training programs for shelters and rescues, and researches dog-human cultures. Her favorite thing to do is to work directly with humans and dogs during her group classes, private training sessions, and online courses. Amanda is unique in her approach to training, because she makes it fun and soulful while introducing people to the science and art of cross-species connection!

Amanda has a masters degree in Anthrozoology. She is certified as a behavior consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is certified as a dog trainer by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. She was a founding board member of Muddy Paws Rescue. She is sought after by major media outlets including; Good Morning America, Inside Edition, News Week, and Fox and Friends. She speaks worldwide at dog training events and workshops, and she loves to discuss dog-human cultures. She lives in Connecticut and New York City with her husband, daughter, dog, and flock of chickens.
Links:
AmandaGagnonDogTraining.com
Insta: @Amandagagnondogtraining

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